You know that feeling when you’re 99% sure something’s a great idea, only to recognize later … it was a total dumpster fire? That’s exactly what happened when I determined to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It sounded revolutionary. Yet in reality? It developed into one of one of the most painful software application decisions I have actually made in over a decade of running my company.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you through precisely what went down– because if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly looking for smarter, a lot more reliable means to expand your business. Just … not such as this.
The Sexy All-in-One Guarantee
Here’s the thing. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it sounded like a desire come true. A single system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, visit bookings, automation, repayments– you call it.
If you have actually ever handled a Frankenstein pile of tools simply to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for many years (and loving it, truthfully), however still– I obtained tempted in by the promise of streamlining everything under one roofing.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a negative situation of glossy things syndrome.
Why I Left Keap (A Tool That Actually Worked)
Let me be actual with you: Keap wasn’t broken. It did every little thing I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, visit organizing, invoicing– you call it. Sure, the interface really felt a little dated in position, and in some cases things took a couple of more clicks than I suched as, yet hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Honestly, I simply started questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (externally), used extra features, and all the awesome online marketers online seemed to be raving regarding it. FOMO is a hell of a medicine.
That inquisitiveness cost me more than simply money– it cost me time, power, and assurance.
What It Expense Me to Change
I went all in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Spent a strong 30 to 40 hours migrating data, reconstructing workflows, and primarily attempting to replicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Right here’s what I had to move:
- 20,000+ email subscribers
- Loads of automations
- All client accounts and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Entire funnel infrastructure
- Custom-made forms, landing pages, causes … whatever
Allow’s not even discuss the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I depended on my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, enjoying tutorials, and trying to find out where the hell standard setups were.
And just when I believed points were functioning … they weren’t.
The Bugs Began Creeping In
Initially, every little thing looked okay. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my listing began obtaining e-mails they weren’t expected to obtain. I’m chatting entirely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 customers each time. Three days straight.
Complete chaos.
I restore the automations from the ground up. Still taken place. I called assistance. They condemned “web server problems.” But absolutely nothing made good sense, and the trouble didn’t go away. Picture awakening every early morning wondering who your system could’ve spammed over night.
That’s not just annoying– it threatens. When your entire brand is built on depend on, you can’t manage to resemble a clueless amateur blowing up the wrong e-mails to the incorrect people.
Support? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Now, I do not anticipate excellence from any type of system. Insects occur. But when they do? I anticipate the assistance group to step up quickly.
That really did not take place here.
Actions were vague. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling right into the void while my business burned. Meanwhile, every min I invested repairing was a min I wasn’t serving clients or expanding my company.
For a tool that markets itself to major business owners, GoHighLevel certain really did not treat me like one.
The Interface Was a Warm Mess
You ever utilize a tool and simply feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Text To Pay.
The UX was cumbersome. Points were buried in unusual places. Also basic tasks like modifying a funnel or tweaking an e-mail flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Do not even get me started. Intend to alter product setups, page layouts, and overall flow? Great– you’ll require to hunt through 3 various areas that make no rational sense. Half the moment, I couldn’t also keep in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds earlier.
It seemed like utilizing software program constructed by engineers, for designers– not everyday local business owner.
The “Budget-friendly” Plan That Got Real Pricey, Actual Quick
Let’s speak money.
One of GoHighLevel’s big selling points is the cost. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Seems fantastic, ideal?
However right here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to attach solutions like Mailgun or Twilio and handle their invoicing individually.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t discussed clearly.
Desire far better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you also.
By the time I added every little thing up, I was paying greater than I had been with Keap. And getting worse outcomes.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just negative math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Text To Pay
The final straw? Watching my email open rates go down like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open rate with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were dialed in, and points simply worked.
After switching over to GoHighLevel? Opens went down below 15%. Clicks were practically missing. Something was plainly off.
Maybe it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending out at bad times or otherwise personalizing messages appropriately. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t staying to play investigative while my listing deteriorated.
Lessons I Discovered by hand
If you’re considering switching over to GoHighLevel– or any kind of new platform– right here’s what I wish somebody had actually told me prior to I made the jump:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s simple to obtain hyped regarding the most recent “revolutionary” device. But just because every person’s speaking about something doesn’t suggest it’s right for you. If your current system is working, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simpleness Over Features
Much more isn’t constantly much better. A platform with a tidy, instinctive interface will certainly conserve you time and frustrations in the long run– even if it does not have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Surprise expenses are the worst. Pick tools that are in advance concerning pricing, integrations, and limits. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to understand your monthly expense.
4. Listen to Real Users (Not Simply Online Marketers)
Examine unbiased evaluations, individual forums, and Reddit strings. Take note of actual user experience– not just slick sales web pages.
Still Want an All-in-One CRM? Below Are Better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a trustworthy, straightforward platform to run your organization, I’ve examined a number. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually suggest:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid support, and it just functions. Worth every cent.
HubSpot— Great for companies that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one remedy for tiny to mid-sized services with strong coverage tools.
Monday.com— Superb for job monitoring, team cooperation, and sales pipeline monitoring.
Bonsai— Particularly great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Final Thought
GoHighLevel may benefit some. However, for me? It was a frustrating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to end.
So if you’re standing at the edge, asking yourself whether to make the leap– think hard. Ask yourself what’s actually not working in your existing arrangement. Don’t melt your systems down just because something newer and shinier showed up.
Stick to what works. Your peace of mind (and your clients) will certainly thanks.